Welcome to the home of Flour and Water, a website about the art and science of making bread.

Although you will find recipes here, that isn't what Flour and Water is really about. At the heart of this project is an attempt to explain the fundamental mechanics of baking: how bread actually works. I look at each step in the process of making bread, from raw ingredients to the freshly baked loaf and, along the way, I consider the science that underlies the making of bread, the techniques and methods that bakers use, and the way that history has influenced - and been influenced by - bread and baking.

Bread is complex and often unpredictable. Many would-be bakers are put off by early mishaps, but baking can be an incredibly rewarding and enriching experience. With a proper understanding of what is happening at each stage of the process, often invisible to the naked eye, I believe anyone can make bread to be proud of. Flour and Water is on a mission to give you the skills and knowledge you need to make bread with confidence.